Footpath opens

The Earl of Southampton’s Trust have opened up the footpath linking West Street and Barry’s Meadow.

‘They are pleased to let you know that the new footpath through Barry’s Meadow which creates a walking route between West Street and the Village Centre is now complete,

Reds Builders Ltd have recently completed the path installation and Tibbotts Signwriting have made and installed the wooden signs.

There has been access into the top half of Barry’s Meadow but until now was little used.

The path, made of compacted fine gravel, winds down the slope, past the play area and on towards the Surgery car park.

The Earl of Southampton’s Trust hope you enjoy using the new footpath!

Parking Charges Commence at Coastal Car Parks

Following public consultation, parking charges will be applied at some coastal car parks in the Borough from 1 August 2021.

Parking at Meon Shore, Hill Head

Visitors to four coastal car parks: Hove To, Meon Shore, Monks Hill and Salterns; will now be charged £1 per hour between 10am and 6pm, with a maximum charge of £6. An £80 annual season ticket for regular car park users is also available, which works out at 22p per day and is valid across all coastal car parks.

Temporary pay machines are currently being installed and visitors can choose to pay either using coins at the machines, or via the PayByPhone app. Parking machines will display a QR code which visitors can scan using their mobile phones. This will take them directly to the PayByPhone app which they can then download and register to use. 

Fareham Borough Council delayed implementing these charges for many years and is one of the last authorities in the region to charge for coastal parking.  However, the combination of a significant reduction in Government funding, the devastating financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and a reduction in car parking income of approximately £1.5M has meant that the Council has no choice but to find new revenue streams in order to protect vital services, continue to provide a good level of parking enforcement and also to provide maintenance and improvements to the parking infrastructure throughout the Borough.

Executive Member for Health and Public Protection of Fareham Borough Council, Cllr Trevor Cartwright, said: “Fareham is one of the last councils to charge for coastal parking in the whole of the south and, while we appreciate that this decision has had mixed feedback from the public, it was a necessary step to protect our services following some difficult times. We have however, kept the charges as low and as flexible as possible to cater for everyone.”

Parking charges will come into effect at a further five coastal car parks once the new, permanent parking machines have been installed.

You can find out more about the Coastal Car Parks as well as the regulations and rates on the Council’s website: https://www.fareham.gov.uk/parking_and_traffic/coastalparking.aspx

Parking at Meon Shore

Coastal Parking Permits

Coastal Parking Permits are available to purchase for £80.  Each Coastal Parking Permit will be specific to one vehicle, will be non-refundable and will be valid for one year.  Amendments (change of vehicle) or re-prints of a lost permit will incur a £10 administration fee.

Coastal Parking Permits holders will be eligible to park in all of the coastal car parks for a maximum stay of 12 or 4 hours (in line with the car park regulations).In addition, permit holders can also park for up to 14 consecutive days including overnight within the Hove-to and Passage Lane Car parks only. However, sleeping in a vehicle overnight is not permitted.

Conditions of the Coastal Parking Permit

• Permits must be displayed on the windscreen. Failure to do so may result in a PCN being issued.

• Coastal car parks include: Monks Hill, Slaterns Lane, Hove To, Meon Shore, Shore Road, Passage Lane, Swanwick Shore, Castle Large and Castle Small car parks only.

• The permit must not be altered, photocopied or added to.

• A permit does not guarantee a parking space.

• Any replacement permit will incur a payment of £10.

• Coastal permits are vehicle specific and cannot be displayed in alternative vehicles.

• Permits are non-refundable and can only be used in the vehicle specified.

How to Apply

Coastal Parking Permits can be applied for and paid for online by setting up a MyAccount.  It should take less than 10 minutes to set up a MyAccount, complete the details for the Coastal Parking Application and make payment.

If you are unable to apply online, you can apply in person at our Cash Office based on the ground floor of the Civic Offices or over the phone with our Parking Services Department by calling 01329 236100.

All permits will be issued within 7 days of receipt of a completed application.

Fundraiser for Christian Aid

This is a much needed fundraiser for families in third world who due to the pandemic are struggling even more than usual.

We really hope it will go ahead as since Covid, it has previously been cancelled 3 times!

There will be a £2 entrance fee which includes tea, coffee and biscuits.

There will be a raffle and stalls will include hand made crafts, books, cakes, bric-a-brac, plants and toys.

Come along to the Titchfield Parish Room at 9:30 Saturday 7th August and help struggling families in the third world..

Meeting to decide future of Parish church

This Wednesday a Parish Meeting is to be held to decide the future of St Peter’s Church.

The meeting, entitled ‘The Way Forward - Deanery Restructuring and what it means for St Peters’ will take place in the on Wednesday 21st July at 7.30pm and will be screened live on YouTube.

Car smash closes East Street

20th July 2021 2pm

Police and emergency services are currently dealing with a road traffic incident in East Street Titchfield.

A dark blue car has hit the wall of the house at the junction of East Street and Church Path.

The driver was seen being treated at the scene before walking to ambulance.

No one else appears to be injured.

Abbey Meadows site officially opened to the public

Fareham Borough Council is delighted to have officially declared its new public open space, Abbey Meadows, open.

Running adjacent to Southampton Road in Titchfield, Abbey Meadows has around 20 hectares of land comprising footpaths, wildflower meadows, dog-walking areas, educational wildlife areas and an active apiary (beehive area). It also now has a new a children’s play area, which is modelled on the nearby Titchfield Abbey.

The Mayor of Fareham,Councillor Pamela Bryant, cuts the ribbon to officially open the Abbey Meadows Country Park

Served by a central footpath, Abbey Meadows offers a tranquil place to visit within Fareham and forms a key part of the Titchfield Abbey Conservation Area.

Since taking over the site in 2018, the Council has been working to establish new meadows filled with wildflowers and plants. There are also future plans to create a new community orchard as well as planting native trees to help grow and support local wildlife.

Free car parking is available at Mill Lane Recreation Ground, off Mill Lane and also off Cartwright Drive where the new play area is best accessed.

Executive Member for Streetscene at Fareham Borough Council, Councillor Ian Bastable, said: “We are delighted to declare Abbey Meadows officially open to the public. It is different from our other outdoor spaces as it will not only help us to continue developing the biodiversity and wildlife interests in the area, but the peaceful setting allows visitors to fully enjoy nature in all its glory.
“It was also lovely to welcome back the children from Titchfield Primary School, who were so instrumental in the creation of the new natural style play area. It enables children of all abilities to play together and will be a huge benefit for the local community and visitors to Titchfield.”

What the deuce!

You cannot be serious, Wimbledon comes to Titchfield.

Those clever ‘Yarn Bombers’ have upped their GAME again and SERVED up a woolly Wimbledon scene on top of our village Post Box.

The NET result is sure to be a SMASH hit that will SET all SPECTATORS admiring their handy work.

The current display is the latest in a series of topical events featured on the Post Box in the village and is bound to cause a RACQUET with all those who LOVE a laugh

West Street road repairs

Operation Resilience - Carriageway Surface Treatment – West Street, Titchfield

As part of Operation Resilience, Hampshire County Council’s programme to make Hampshire’s roads more resilient to the effects of extreme weather and heavy traffic, this is to advise of upcoming surface treatment works along the length of West Street, Titchfield.

West Street, Titchfield

The works are a two-part process, with the first application of the treatment currently programmed to start on Sunday 20th June 2021 which is expected to take up to 1 day, during which time the roads will be closed to through traffic between 07:30 to 18:00 hours. The roads will be open outside of these hours.

 The second application of the treatment is usually carried out within 7 days of the first, and the roads will be closed again to carry out the works.

Access for residents will be maintained wherever possible, although short delays are likely. The works are weather sensitive and exact dates cannot be given in this letter. Yellow warning signs displaying dates and times will be erected at the works limits. These will be updated as soon as possible in the event of any programme changes. If you need to make a journey during the works, please allow a little extra time. Operatives stationed throughout the site will be happy to assist either by directing you via a diversion, or through the works via the safest route.

Although the carriageway may appear sound, fine cracks and worn areas are starting to appear. If the cracks are left untreated, they will deteriorate further, allowing water to penetrate the surface. The road will be treated through a process known as ‘Surface Dressing’. This treatment seals and preserves the existing surface and will follow the profile of the road. The process is fast, efficient, sustainable and extremely effective in prolonging the life of the carriageway by preventing water ingress and improving grip.

After 24 hours, we will mechanically sweep the road to remove any loose chippings. The nature of the treatment means there will be loose chippings on the road surface until it beds down, so it will be swept again after two weeks.

To help us complete this work with minimal inconvenience to you, please follow this advice:

  1.    Please do not park on the road (during the day), or be prepared to move your vehicle until the road has been treated.

2.    Please keep children and pets away from the new surface, for safety and cleanliness.

3.    Check your shoes before entering your car or home.

1. For your safety and that of our workforce, we are unable to guarantee vehicular access to and from your property during working hours. Should you need to make an essential journey during the periods of closure, please contact a member of the workforce in advance and they will be able to advise if they can accommodate your request. Pedestrian access will be available at all times.

2. In order to avoid potential injury or damage, please do not walk across the carriageway during the works unless directed by a member of the workforce.

Due to the current COVID-19 situation, works will be carried out ensuring safe working practices, and social distancing between site operatives and members of the public are maintained at all times. The appropriate traffic management will be in place to prevent any interaction.

Thank you for your co-operation and if you need more information regarding these works, you can use any of the options below.

Web:               https://one.network/?tm=GB121859927

E-Mail:                        roads@hants.gov.uk

Parish Magazine out now

The Parish magazine, Titchfield News, contains information about Church and village news and events and articles about village life. It is published bi-monthly and copies of previous issues are available at: http://www.stpetertitchfield.org.uk/titchfield-news .

There is a facility for online copies to be read aloud. Please see:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETOohmYui3Q

The June issue of Titchfield News is being delivered to all subscribers this week. Individual copies, price £1.00, are available to buy in the church on days when it is open for private prayer, currently Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 11am-1pm.

If you don’t have a subscription and would like one, please contact Gerry Pontefract by text message on: 07818568034 and she will see if there is a distributor for your area.

We do hope you enjoy reading Titchfield News.

Lottery grant for Parish Room roof

Titchfireld Village Trust have just been awarded £10,000 from the National Lottery towards the repair of the Parish Room roof.

This takes the appeal to almost halfway towards the £100,000 tneeded o complete the work.

The Trust is hoping to begin the re-laying of the slabs on the outside of the building very soon making them safe to walk on. Once the target is reached work will begin on the roof.

Village Trust Chairman, Nick Girdler, explained, “Other applications for funding are currently in the pipeline and we will be able to let you know how they are progressing at our re-scheduled AGM on Tuesday July 6th (Covid regulations permitting)

“Meanwhile can I ask you once again to help us achieve our target by joining our page on the Fareham Lottery scheme or using our ‘Just Giving’ page. Both links can be found on our Website : www.titchfieldvillagetrust.com

“I can’t stress how important this village support is in showing grant giving organisations the commitment to the scheme from local residents and groups.”

For just £35 you can own one of only twelve limited edition 12”x18” prints

Buy a unique, limited edition, Cyanotype image of the Parish Room and help support the appeal -see the link on the main Titchfield News website.

FoSP dates for your diary

The Friends of St Peter’s have announced two events to put in your diary.

1. AGM - this will be held in St Peter's Church on the 28th June commencing at 7.30

2. Jazz at the Barn - this is a popular event and we will let you know the details soon, however the date for you diary is the 12th September

In thanking parishioners the Chair of FoSP, Pat Shirley, thanked everyone for their ongoing support during the past year.

She went on to explain how membership subscription has really helped at a time when it has been nearly impossible to raise money via our normal fundraising events.

Adding, “Finally is there anyone amongst you who would like to join our committee?

“The time is not onerous (we usually meet every 6 weeks) and we aim to put on 3  events a year.

“If you know anyone who may be interested please let me know.”

From Construction to Destruction: David Hare’s evocative play comes to Titchfield

The Permanent Way is a play written by celebrated writer and director David Hare, and is a powerful critique of the privatisation of British Rail in 1991.

 The script for the play was written and informed from interviews with the families and survivors of train crashes that followed the sale of British Rail, as well as from politicians, police officers and rail workers. It is a play which audiences will find moving, emotional – and also enlightening. Hare’s view was that the transfer into private ownership of the railways was criminal, writing The Permanent Way to make his case. This month, The Permanent Way arrives at Titchfield Festival Theatre, our second play following the reopening of live performances.

 Elese Ayres is director of The Permanent Way, her first show directing an adult play having previously worked with youth theatre productions. Elese said, “The Permanent Way takes us on a journey to uncover the truth behind the privatisation of British Rail. Through first hand witnesses, we are able to understand why it occurred and assess the consequences. After privatisation, there were several tragic train accidents, including major incidents at Southall, Ladbroke Grove, Hatfield and Potters Bar that led to a significant loss of life and injury.  Hare seeks to make those responsible accountable, whilst also providing a voice for those affected by the disasters.”

The play was originally written to be performed with a 36-strong cast. However, due to space limitations and safe social distancing, Titchfield’s production includes actors playing a multiple number of roles. None of the characters in the play have names; instead, titles such as “Support Group Founder” and “Young Man in Denim” describe each character.

 The Permanent Way is a play which will appeal to lovers of theatre and good writing, and ultimately seeks to answer the question: Is there any point in the blame game or was it always written in the stars?

 Titchfield Festival Theatre’s production of The Permanent Way opens on Monday May 24 running until Saturday May 29, 2021. Tickets for all performances are now available. Shows start at 7.30pm.

 For more information including booking tickets, please go to http://titchfieldfestivaltheatre.com/ or contact our Box Office on 0333 666 3366.

The Permanent Way will also be streamed live on Friday 28 & Saturday 29 May 2021.

Touching tribute to a well know Titchfield villager, Mark Jones

Family, friends and neighbours paid their respects by walking behind Mark’s coffin on its route through the village to the cemetery in Posbook Lane.

The entourage paused at the bottom of West Street for a moment of silence, which was also observed by many standing on the pavements.

Yarn Bombers ‘Take the Plunge’

Those crafty crocheters have been busy creating a summer scene on-top the Post Box in the Square.

The colourful scene depicts a day at the seaside, complete with crashing waves, intrepid swimmers, sand castles, sea gulls and beach huts.

Bringing a smile to shoppers in the village, is the latest in a series ‘yarn bombing’ escapades undertaken by a clandestine group of clever crafters.

Ringers tribute to The Duke of Edinburgh

The Bell Ringers of St Peter’s Titchfield will ring a single bell half muffled 99 times at 12noon tomorrow the 10th of April , as part of the national commemoration for HRH Prince Phillip The Duke of Edinburgh.

ALERT - Asbestos warning

There is a pile of what looks to us to be asbestos dumped on the side of the road in St Margaret’s Lane - right hand side heading towards Coach Hill, about 20 yards in on grass verge.

It has been reported to the FBC Environmental Health emergency number and the person who reported it was told they’d had a similar report re Triangle Lane but obviously this  cannot be verified.

FBC Environmental Health say it’s already been reported but they can’t remove it until Tuesday because they have to use a specialist company. Hence this post reporting it as a potential health hazard.

Also, perhaps people can keep an eye open for anyone seen doing this. I wonder if it’s from demolition work somewhere as it’s clearly a way to avoid paying for specialist removal!

The Parish magazine, Titchfield News

The Parish magazine, Titchfield News, contains information about Church and village news and events and articles about village life. It has been published bi-monthly since June 2020 and copies of previous issues are available at: http://www.stpetertitchfield.org.uk/titchfield-news .

There is a facility for online copies to be read aloud. Please see:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETOohmYui3Q

The April issue of Titchfield News is being delivered to all subscribers this week and distributors will also be collecting the £5.00 annual subscription. Individual copies, price £1.00, are available to buy in the church on days when it is open for private prayer, currently Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 11am-1pm.

If you don’t have a subscription and would like one, please contact Gerry Pontefract by text message on: 07818568034 and she will see if there is a distributor for your area.

We do hope you enjoy reading Titchfield News.

Titchfield News: Vacancy for Advertising Sales

Titchfield News has a vacancy for someone to sell advertising space in the magazine and to invoice current advertisers for payment. Advertising income is a very important part of keeping the magazine viable so, if you think this could be the job for you and you would like to be part of the editorial team, please email magazine@stpetertitchfield.org.uk for more details.

MORE COMPUTERS TO HELP LEARNING

Once again the Earl of Southampton Trust has come to the aid of another of the schools within the ‘ancient parish’ of Titchfield, the area covered by the Trusts remit to provide housing and assist those in need in order to have a positive impact on their lives.

This time it was Cornerstone Primary School at Whiteley.

Once again the Trusts Chair, Frances Knight, was on hand to present the school with 3 brand new laptops.

Frances hands over the laptops to ~Headmaster Tim Clarke

She said “It may seem that with schools now back at work the need for these computers is now at an end but that does not mean they will now be surplus to requirements, far from it. In their application to the Trust the headmaster, Tim Clarke, said ‘we will use them to provide work stations to vulnerable children / families should any future requests come in, and in the meantime use them to support these children further within school.’

Frances continued “We are there to help those in most need and for the long term this seemed to fit the bill perfectly.”

MORE HELP FOR LOCAL CHILDREN

During the latest Lockdown, as a result of the Covid pandemic, the Earl of Southampton Trust was approached by a number of local schools asking for help in supplying computers in order that children could continue to do their learning from home.

Our first contribution was 10 laptops for the Henry Cort Community College. But of course it’s not just pupils in secondary education that have been facing the problems associated with trying to keep up, primary schools have also been challenged with trying to continue learning from home.

As a result the Trust has donated a further 9 Chromebooks to Titchfield Primary School.

Frances Knight hands over one of the laptops to Titchfield Primary School Head Teacher, Michelle Stephens.

Chairman of the Trust, Francis Knight, said “In these unusual times the Trust has been asked to help in ways it has not usually been approached to help with, but we are happy to come to the aid of all those facing difficulties within the geographical area we cover, and at the moment that particularly includes the children.”

The computers were presented to the school at a ceremony this week. Chair of Governors at the school, Gloria Hunt, said “The Chromebooks have enabled children who have no access, or limited access, to home learning to become involved.

This, with the Government contribution, has allowed us to reach all the families in need and ensures equal opportunity for all to maintain learning.”

Exactly the reason the Earl of Southampton Trust is there to help.